Bathroom scale with optically

ABSTRACT

A BATHROOM SCALE HAVING A PROJECTED DIAL INDICATOR SYSTEM OF A CONSTRUCTION SUCH THAT THE LATTER CAN BE INSTALLED AS A UNITARY UNIT.

June 11, 1974 G. M. GRUSIN ETAL Re. 28,040

BATHROOM SCALE WITH OPTICAL-LY PROJECTED DIAL INDICATUR Original FiledOct. 6, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I r 66 INVENTORS Gerald M. Grusin 67 James5. Logan ATTYS.

June 11, 1974 nusm ETAL Re. 28,040

BATHROOM SCALE wn'a OPTICALLY PROJECTED DIAL INDICATOR Original FiledOct. 6, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet I FIG. 2

Gerald M Grusin James 5 Logan ATTYS.

United States Patent Oflice Re. 28,040 Re issued June 11, 1974 1972,Ser. No. 314,581

Int. Cl. C01g 23/26, 23/32 US. Cl. 177178 9 Claims Matter enclosed inheavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bathroom scale having a projected dialindicator system of a construction such that the latter can be installedas a unitary unit.

This invention is a continuation-in-part of copending application, Ser.No. 713,361, filed March 15, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,512,594 issued May19, 1970.

This invention relates to an improved bathroom scale having a projecteddial system adapted to project an enlarged, illuminated numerical weightindication onto a projection screen.

In the above-mentioned copending application, there is disclosed abathroom scale which includes a projected dial indicator system that isconstructed using, in most cases, standard components that are readilyavailable on the open market. In addition, the system is incorporatedinto an existing housing and is adapted to function with a known type ofweight mechanism, with little modification to them. The dial readout isin the form of numerals, and every pound weight is numerically indicatedso that the person using the scale can easily and quickly determine hisweight without the necessity of interpreting and/or interpolating aslide rulelike dial of the type presently used. Half-pound weights alsocan be indicated graphically, if desired. The dial indicia is magnifiedand projected as large, legible numerals onto a projection screen which,in a. preferred disclosed embodiment, is mounted so as to not projectabove the top surface of the scales platform. The projection screentherefore does not detract from the aesthetic appeal of the scale and,furthermore,

does not present an obstruction over which people can trip or which willinterfere with storing the scale.

The projected dial system of the bathroom scale, furthermore, is adaptedto be activated by means of a pushbutton switch so that the dial can bereadjusted to zero setting, without influencing the operation of theWeight mechanism.

Several important improvements are provided by the present invention, tothe subject bathroom scale. In particular, a new and improved projectionsystem or assembly is provided, so that the latter can be simplyinstalled as a unitary unit. Assembly, therefore, is greatly simplifiedand can be accomplished much more rapidly.

A simple solution to the problem of aligning the reflectors so that thereflected numerals are properly located or positioned on the projectionscreen also is provided. In fact, with the new, improved construction,alignment can be accomplished by adjusting a single threaded screw.

Still another improvement relates to an improved switch assembly orarrangement for energizing the dial projection system.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved bathroom scale having a dial projection system.

More particularly, an object is to provide an improved projection systemor assembly for such a bathroom scale.

A still further object is to provide an improved pro jection system orassembly for such a bathroom scale which can be installed therein as aunitary unit.

Still another object is to provide an improved projection system orassembly for such a bathroom scale constructed in a fashion such thatalignment of the reflecting surfaces thereof can be easily and quicklyaccomplished.

Another object is to provide an improved switch assembly or arrangementfor energizing the dial projection system of a bathroom scale of theabove-described type.

Other objects of the invention 'will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties and the relation of elements which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bathroom scale exemplary of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, top plan view of the bathroom scale of FIG. 1,with a portion of its platform broken away to illustrate its interiorconstruction;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the bathroom scale of FIGS. 1 and 2,partially broken away to illustrate its interior construction.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the projection system or assembly forthe bathroom scale;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lenses and the light source assemblyof the projection system, illustrating the manner in which the dialtransverses it; and

FIG. 6. is a partial sectional view of the bathroom scale, illustratingthe construction of the switch for energizing the dial projectionsystem.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is illustrated a bathroomscale 10 of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned copendingapplication, including a projected dial system for projecting anilluminated and enlarged numerical indication of the weight of the partyusing it, onto a projection screen 11. As indicated in said subjectcopending application, the scale 10 preferably includes a source ofstored power, such as batteries, however, an externally mounted powerpack can be used or the scale 10 can be easily modified so that it canbe powered from the ordinary volt AC source generally found in the home.The projected dial system is adapted to be activated when apredetermined weight, approximately 10 pounds, is placed on the platform12 of the scale, and further is adapted to be activated by means of apush button 13 (FIGS. 2 and 6), so that the scale can be readjusted tozero setting, without having to apply weight to the platform 12. Theoperation of its weighing mechanism therefore is not adversely affectedor influenced, when the scale is zeroed. Each pound weight is indicatednumerically, by means of large, legible numerals, and halfpound weightscan be indicated graphically, if desired, so that the indicated weightcan be easily read and determined.

More specifically, the bathroom scale 10 includes a base 14 (FIGS. 2 and3) and a platform 12 which together form a housing for protectivelyenclosing the weighing mechanism and the projected dial system thereof.The weighing mechanism is of the generally well-known type disclosed inUS. Pat. No. 2,228,874, and reference can be made to this patent for acomplete description of its construction and operation. Generallyhowever, the weighing mechanism includes an equalizer plate which issupported at each of its opposite ends for movement in a substantiallyhorizontal plane below the platform 12, by means of legs 16 (FIG. 6)depending from a pair of spaced-apart rocker members 17 and 18. A weightspring 19 is affixed to one end of the equalizer plate 15 and to the endof a zero adjustment screw 20. The weight spring 19 resists the movementof the equalizer plate 15, and the 0 adjustment screw 20 permits thescale to be readily and easily adjusted so as to correctly indicatezero, when there is no weight disposed on the platform 12. A gear rack(not shown) is supported on the equalizer plate 15 for longitudinalsliding movement, and is drivingly engaged with a pinion gear (notshown) affixed to the end of a shaft 22. This shaft 22 is rotatablysupported in a vertically disposed position, and a dial wheel 25 isaffixed to and rotatably driven by it, when the equalizer plate 15 andthe gear rack afiixed to it, are moved.

The rocker members 17 and 18 are pivotally supported atop wall supports26 and 27, and the platform 12 seats atop them. When weight is placed onthe platform 12, the rocker members 17 and 18 are pivotally operated to,in turn, move the equalizer plate 15 and the gear rack affixed to it.The gear rack, in turn, drivingly engages the pinion gear aflixed to theshaft 22, and causes the latter and the dial wheel 25 afiixed to it torotate.

The scales dial 28 is affixed to the dial wheel 25 and comprises acircular-shaped drum having a top wall 29 and an annular sidewall 30.The numerical indicia 32 is provided about the annular sidewall 30, andas indicated in the above-mentioned eopending application, can beprovided by forming the same on a film strip 31, such as a length ofstandard 8 mm. film. The film strip 31 is afiixed about the annularsidewall in any suitable fashion. The drum preferably is formed of atransparent plastic such as crystal clear polystyrene. The dial 28 isaffixed to the dial wheel 25 by extending the shaft 22 and a pair ofalignment pins 33 and 34 affixed to the dial wheel 25 through aperturesprovided in the top wall 29, and by affixing a threaded nut 35 to theshaft 22.

As indicated above, certain improvements have been made in the scale 10,however, it is believed that these improvements will be more apparentafter having explained the operation of the scale 1|], which is asfollows. When weight is applied to the platform 12, for example, when aperson stands on it, the rocker members 17 and 18 are caused to pivot.The rocker members 17 and 18, in turn, cause the equalizer plate 15 andthe gear rack aflixed to it to move. As the gear rack moves, itdrivingly engages the pinion gear afiixed to the shaft 22 and causes thelatter and the dial wheel 25 and the dial 28 affixed to it to rotate.The dial 28 and the film strip 31 affixed to it are oriented in such amanner as to cause the appropriate indicia 32 to be positioned in frontof the lamp (FIGS. 2 and 5) so that it will be projected onto theprojection screen 11, when the lamp 40 is energized.

The lamp 40 is energized by means of a source of stored power, that is,batteries, contained within a housing 41 (FIG. 4) [(FIGS. 2 and 4)]under the control of a switch 42 (FIG. 6) [(FIGS. 2 and 6)] having apair of normally open contacts 43 and 44. As can be best seen in FIG. 6,the contact 44 normally is engaged by the rocker member 18, and theswitch 42 is opened so that the lamp 40 is not energized. When weight isapplied to the platform 12, the rocker member 18 is caused to pivotcounter clockwise, and the contact 44 is thereby allowed to close withcontact 43, to energize the lamp 4!).

When the lamp 40 is energized, light is impinged on the film strip 31affixed to the dial 28. The image of the numeral corresponding to theweight on the platform 12 is projected through a pair of lenses 46 and47 of a magnifying and projection lens system 45 (FIG. 5) which inverts,magnifies and projects it onto a vertically disposed reflector 48 (FIGS.2 and 4) in a fashion such that the numeral appears inverted andreversed on the latter. From the reflector 48, the numeral is reflectedonto another reflector 49. This latter reflector is horizontallydisposed and is at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to thevertical plane of the reflector 48 so that the numeral is expanded orstretched, and therefore effectively further magnified, and is projectedvertically upwardly onto the rear of the projection screen 11. In theprocess, the numeral further is rotated and properly oriented so that itis horizontally disposed on the projection screen, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

When the weight is removed from the platform 12, the equalizer plate 15and the gear rack afiixed to it are returned to their initialinoperative positions. The contact 44 is again engaged by the rockermember 18, to open the contacts 43 and 44-, to thereby deenergize thelamp 40.

From the above description of the operation of the bathroom scale 10, itwill be appreciated that the dial 28, the lamp 40, the lenses 46 and 47,and the reflectors 48 and 49 all must be properly aligned, in order toproperly reflect the numerals 32 on the dial 28 onto the projectionscreen 11. In order to achieve the proper alignment of these elements ofthe bathroom scales disclosed in the above-mentioned copendingapplication, extremely close manufacturing tolerances must beestablished and maintained. Furthermore, considerable care must beexercised during the assembly operation, otherwise any errors due tovariations to tolerances are magnified and compounded These undesirablefeatures are substantially, if not completely, eliminated in thebathroom scale of the present invention, by affixing these elements to aunitary molded subassembly 50, in a fashion such that they now can beeasily and quickly assembled and aligned.

As can be best seen in FIG. 4, the subassembly 50 has a fiat base 51which is adapted to be affixed flat to the bottom wall 21 (FIG. 3) ofthe base 14 of the scale. integrally molded with the base 51 is agenerally rectangular-shaped, hollow-housing 41 which both forms anenclosure for the batteries (not shown) for energizing the lamp 4t] andsupports a lamp enclosure 52 and a lens enclosure 53. The bottom wall 21of the base 14 has an opening (not shown) in it which is aligned withthe housing 41, for inserting the batteries. This opening is closed witha removable cover (not shown). The top wall of the housing 41 has anumber of openings 54 in it, through which the depending fingers ofmetallic contacts 55 can be extended to make electrical contact with thebatteries in the housing, and to connect these batteries in series.

The lamp enclosure 52, as can be best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, isintegrally molded with the top wall of the housing 41 and is generallyrectangular-shaped with a lamp receiving cavity 57 formed therein, forfrictionally receiving the lamp 40. This lamp receiving cavity 57 alsofunctions as an aperture for impinging the light from the lamp 40, ontothe lenses 46 and 47.

The lens enclosure 53 is a two-piece structure including a generallyrectangular-shaped lens support 62 which is integrally molded with thetop wall of the housing 41, and a cover or hood 63. The bottom andsidewalls of the lens support 62 are formed with lens receiving grooves(not shown) in them, for receiving and supporting the lenses 46 and 47in vertically disposed, spaced-apart relationship, as illustrated inFIG. 5. The hood 63 is adapted to be frictionally or otherwise affixedto the lens support 62, to enclose the lenses 46 and 47 and to functionas a dust cover for them. In addition the hood 63 has an opening 64 inits end wall 65 for permitting light to enter the lens enclosure 53',and a smaller opening 66 in its opposite end wall 67 for impinging lightonto the reflector 48. The hood 63 therefore also functions as anaperture, for impinging the light from the lamp 40 onto the reflector48.

The reflector 48 is formed of a rectangular-shaped length of sheet metalwhich is bent or folded L-shaped so as to form two legs 68 and 69. Atleast one of these legs, in the illustrated example, the leg 69 ishighly polished so that it will reflect the image of the numeral 32 onthe dial 28 onto the reflector 49. The other leg 68 is adapted to beaflixed to the base 51 of the subassembly 50, within the confines ofthree walls 70-72 integrally molded with the base 51. The walls 70 72are located and the dimensions of the leg 68 of the reflector and thespacing between the walls 70-72 are correspondingly sized so that theleg 68 fits snugly between the walls and the latter therebyautomatically positioning the reflector 48. The leg 68 is fixedlysecured between the walls 7072 in any suitable fashion, as by means offlatheaded rivets 73. The leg is secured only along its leading edge,and a threaded screw 74 is threadedly extended through an apertureformed substantially centrally therein. This threaded screw 74 functionsto angularly raise and lower the leg 68 to adjustably position the otherleg 6-9 to align the reflector 48, as more fully described below.

The other reflector 49 also is formed of a rectangular or square-shapedlength of sheet metal which is highly polished. This reflector 49 isafiixed to a ramp 75 which is generally in for form of a 45 triangleintegrally molded with the base 51 of the subassembly 50. The reflector49 is affixed to the 45 surface of the ramp 75, with its side edgesaligned with the sidewalls of the ramp and its lower edge abuttedagainst the base 51 of the sub assembly 50.

From the above description of the subassembly 50, it can be seen thatthe lamp 40, the lenses 46 and 47, and the reflectors 48 and 49 all canbe easily and quickly assembled therewith, with little concern aboutthem being properly aligned. This stems from the fact that the lampenclosure 52, the lens enclosure 53, the walls 7072 and the ramp 75which supports these various elements all are integrally molded with thebase 51 of the subassembly 50, in fixed, predetermined relationship withone another, and further determine or establish the manner or positionin which these elements are disposed with respect to the subassembly andto each other. For example, the lamp 40 is fixedly positioned withrespect to the lenses 46 and 47 merely by inserting it into the cavity57 in the lamp closure 52. The lenses 46 and 47, in turn, are fixedlypositioned with respect to one another and further with respect to thelamp 40 and the reflector 48 simply by placing them in the slots in thelens suport 62 of the lens enclosure 53. The reflectors 48 and 49 areproperly positioned by disposing the leg 68 of the reflector 48 withinthe confines of the walls 70-72, and by affixing the reflector 49 to theangled surface of the ramp 75.

Once these elements have been assembled with the subassembly 50, thelatter is affixed within the base 14 of the scale 10, by means offasteners such as threaded screws or rivets extended through aperturesformed in the base 51 of the subassembly and the base 14 of the scale.These apertures can be preformed in preestablished locations, ifdesired. The electric conductors 77 (FIG. 2) can be afiixed to thecontacts 55, either before or after the subassembly 50 is affixed withinthe base 14, and the electric connections with the switch 42 thencompleted by aflixing the con ductors to respective ones of the switchcontacts 43 and 44.

Assuming that the weighing mechanism has been afiixed within the base 14of the scale, the dial 28 is assembled by extending the alignment pins33 and 34 and the end of the shaft 22 through the apertures formed inthe dial for receiving them. A threaded nut is then aflixed to the endof the shaft 22, to securely afl'ix the dial to the shaft.

It can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, that the sidewall 30 of the dial 28 isdisposed to extend between the ends of the lamp enclosure 52 and thelens enclosure 53, when the dial is aflixed to the shaft 22. Uponcompleting the assembly of the scale 10, a final alignment adjustment ismade to aim the projected image onto the reflector 49, before theplatform 12 is aflixed to the base 14. This final alignment is easilyand quickly made with the desired construction, simply by activating thedial projection system so that an image is projected onto the reflector48 and then threadedly adjusting the screw 74 until this image isproperly reflected and aligned with a target which may be a cardboardfixture of the like forming a screen upon which the image can beprojected and observed, temporarily placed flat atop the reflector 49,it is found that this one simple adjustment is generally suflicient tocompensate for any variations in tolerance of the various elements, orthe assembly thereof, as well as any variations in the tolerance orassembly of the dial 28 including the film strip 31 affixed thereto.

As indicated above, an improved switch assembly or arrangement forenergizing the dial projection system also has been provided for thescale 10. This new switch assembly, as can be best seen in FIGS. 2 and6, includes a generally U-shaped switch support 78 having legs 798l. Theswitch 42 is aflixed to the leg 81 and the leg 79 is fixedly secured tothe base 14 of the scale 10, so that the contact 44 of the switch 42 isdisposed to be engaged by the rocker member 18 and thereby operated tonormally open the contacts 43 and 44 when there is no weight applied tothe platform 12 of the scale, as illustrated in FIG. 6. When the rockermember 18 is pivotally operated, in the manner described above, whenweight is applied to the platform, these contacts are closed to energizethe dial projection systern.

To adjust the scale 10 to its zero setting, the pushbutton 13 is pressedso that its end engages and causes the leg to bend or pivot at its lowerend. In doing so, the switch 42 is tilted inwardly and angularlydownwardly and its contact 44 is disengaged with the rocker member 18,to thereby permit the contacts 43 and 44 to close. These contacts, inclosing, energize the dial projection system. The zero adjustment screw20 is rotated, which action adjusta bly positions the spring 19 in afashion such as to adjustably position the equalizer plate 15, until thenumeral 0" is viewed on the projection screen 11. The pushbutton 13 thenis released to deenergize the dial projection system. An adjustmentscrew is aflixed to the pushbutton 13, and is threadably adjustable toengage the end of the pushbutton 13 with the leg 80, to compensate forany variation in assembly tolerances.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained andcertain changes may be made in the above article. Accordingly, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A low-profile, portable bathroom scale comprising, in combination:

a base;

a movable platform associated with said base for receiving an object tobe weighed;

a weight mechanism having a rotatable shaft and being responsive to themovement of said platform to rotate said shaft;

a dial mounted on said shaft so as to extend substantially horizontallybelow said platform and having indicia of weight values provided on it;

a projection screen mounted on and movable with said platform as thelatter is operated;

a dial projection system including a source of light, a first and asecond reflecting surface and a lens system including at least a pair oflenses, a [molded] support having a lamp enclosure, a lens enclosure andmounting means for receiving and defining the location and the positionin which said first and second reflecting surfaces are fixedly securedto said support all integrally [molded] formed therewith, said lampenclosure and said lens enclosure further being formed to receive and toposition said source of light to project an image of said indicia onsaid dial onto and through said pair of lenses onto said firstreflecting surface, said first reflecting surface being positioned toreflect said image onto said second reflecting surface and the latterbeing positioned to reflect said image on said projection screen,whereby said dial projection system can be preassemblcd and affixed as asubassembly in said base; and

switch means operated responsive to the operation of said weightmechanism for activating said dial projection system.

2. The bathroom scale of claim 1, wherein said [molded] support furtherhas a hollow battery housing which is opened on its bottom sideintegrally [molded] formed with it, a closable opening in said basealigned with the open bottom of said housing to permit batteries to beinserted through said opening into said housing.

3. The bathroom scale of claim 1, wherein said lamp enclosure comprisesa generally rectangular-shaped structure having a substantiallycentrally disposed lamp receiving aperture extending through it, saidsource of light being an electric lamp removably inserted within saidlamp receiving aperture.

4. A bathroom scale of claim 1, wherein said lens enclosure comprises agenerally rectangular-shaped structure having a U-shaped cross section,the interior surface thereof having support means formed therein forrecciving and supporting said pair of lenses in vertically-disposed.spaced relation therein.

5. The bathroom scale of claim 4, further including a hood adapted to befrictionally aflixed to said lens enclosure to enclose the interiorthereof, said hood functioning as a dust cover for said lenses andhaving an opening in each of its opposite end walls so as to alsofunction as an aperture for said lenses.

6. The bathroom scale of claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprisesa plurality of vertically-disposed walls formed to receive said firstreflecting surface therebetween so as to locate and position said firstreflecting surface, and a generally triangular-shaped structure havingan angled surface formed to receive and to position said secondreflecting surface.

7. The bathroom scale of claim I, wherein said first reflecting surfaceis L-shaped having two legs, one of said legs being vertically disposedand the other of said legs being horizontally disposed and afiixed alongits forward free end to said support in the location and positiondefined by said mounting means, a threaded screw threadedly extendedthrough an aperture formed in said horizontally disposed legs with theterminal end thereof engaged with the surface of said support, saidthreaded screw being threadably adjustable to align said firstreflecting surface to reflect said image of said indicia onto saidsecond reflecting surface.

8. The bathroom scale of claim 1, wherein said switch means comprises aU-shaped bracket having three legs, two of which are horizontallydisposed, one of said two horizontally disposed legs being aflixed tosaid base of said scale and the other one of them having a switch havinga pair of contacts fixedly secured to it, said pair of contacts beingdisposed so that one of them is engaged by said weight mechanism and isnormally operated to open said pair of contacts when there is no weightapplied to said platform, said one contact being permitted to operate toclose said pair of contacts to activate said dial projection system whenweight is applied to said platform.

9. The bathroom scale of claim 8, further including adjustment means foradjusting said weight mechanism to a zero setting, a pushbutton affixedto said base with the terminal end thereof extended through and intosaid base to engage said third one of said legs of said bracket whensaid pushbutton is operated, said third leg being pivotally bent andcausing said switch to move angularly downwardly to disengage said onecontact with said weight mechanism and to thereby permit said pair ofcontacts to close to activate said dial projection system withoutapplying weight to said platform.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,489,233 1/1970 Schwartz l77-l78 3,46l,987 8/1969Appius 177-178 2,812,422 11/1957 Provi 177l77 1,166.658 1/1916Buckingham 177-l78 X 1.385.718 7/1921 Schnper 177l78 3,022,845 2/1962Provi l77234 X 3,193,034 7/l965 Hutchinson ct al. 177-234 RICHARD B.WILKINSON, Primary Examiner V. W. M lSKA, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl.X.R. l77234

